Company to Launch Eco-Friendly Food Service Products Line in 2014

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that Trellis Earth Products (Trellis) will move its manufacturing operations from China and launch its first U.S. manufacturing facility outside of Rochester with production to begin in 2014. Trellis, a manufacturer of sustainable food service products, will invest $8.3 million to make its new headquarters at the Rochester Technology Park and create 189 jobs.

“We are pleased to welcome Trellis as they move their manufacturing operations from China to Upstate New York,” Governor Cuomo said. “It is great news for the local community that this leading manufacturer of eco-friendly food service products will soon break ground on a new facility at the Rochester Technology Park, creating nearly 200 jobs for the region. This move demonstrates all of what New York has to offer for businesses to succeed, including a talented workforce, state and local support, top locations and access to major markets. We look forward to working with Trellis to help their company flourish and grow the Finger Lakes economy.”

“Governor Cuomo’s vision to make New York Open for Business has once again drawn a leading company, Trellis Earth Products, to choose Upstate New York as a place to invest and grow,” said Lieutenant Governor Robert J. Duffy. “I commend Trellis for choosing to build a future in the Rochester area, which will provide an enormous economic boost to Upstate New York, and I thank all of our local partners for their dedication in creating these public-private partnerships that prove New York State is a great place to do business.”

By end of this summer, Trellis will break ground on a new 80,000-square foot facility in the Rochester Technology Park. The company will gear up to manufacture more than 50 million forks, knives and spoons monthly at its new facility. Trellis also plans to manufacture food service flatware and flexible products including clamshells, school lunch trays and plates at its Rochester facility. All products will be made from its very popular bioplastic blend that is primarily comprised of plant starch, greatly reducing petrochemical consumption and lessening the burden on landfills. Trellis will be the first bioplastics company to make branded goods in a vertically integrated facility that takes raw materials through all phases of production for food service customers.

“Trellis, as an industry leader, is committed to creating jobs here at home,” said Trellis Earth Products CEO Mike Senzaki. “We see the value of being a New York-based manufacturing company where we can be close to our major markets while having access to the resources and support services we need to launch a world-class manufacturing facility.”

Trellis is being supported by Empire State Development with an incentive package that directly ties to job creation and contributions to the local economy. ESD will provide $1.5 million in Excelsior tax credits and a $500,000 capital grant. Trellis has committed to creating 189 full time jobs by June 2018 and investing $8.34 million. Monroe County has also agreed to commit resources, including up to $500,000 in low interest financing, up to $300,000 in an interest subsidy, $50,000 for training and possible rebates on equipment purchases.

“Trellis Earth Products represents the future of innovative American manufacturing in New York State as its soon to be locally-made products will be environmentally-friendly, and the new jobs and investment will help grow our economy,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams. “I applaud Trellis’s commitment to a future in New York and we appreciate the company’s philosophy and its dedication to sustainable, environmentally conscious operations and New York State manufacturing.”

“Today’s announcement is further proof that the Rochester region can compete for jobs nationally and globally,” said Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle, D-Irondequoit, who was part of the negotiations to bring Trellis Earth to the Rochester area. “Our position near major markets, hi-tech facilities and long history of innovation make us an ideal place for a growing ‘green’ business like Trellis Earth. This is also another example of how public-private partnerships will be key to growing our economy, today and long into the future, and I’m pleased to have been a part of making this happen.”

“Monroe County is proud to play a role in bringing Trellis Earth Products and its innovative product line here to our community,” said Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks. “With the company slated to invest millions at the Rochester Technology Park, bring its operations back home from overseas, and create nearly 190 full time jobs in Monroe County, Trellis’ decision to locate its new manufacturing hub here is a true win-win-win scenario for our entire area.”

“Our community’s close proximity to major U.S. markets without major market costs played a role in Trellis Earth’s decision to shift its manufacturing facility from China to Rochester, NY,” said Greater Rochester Enterprise President & CEO Mark S. Peterson. “Rochester’s strength as a hub of energy innovation will also further accelerate Trellis Earth’s business plans to expand its eco-friendly food service products line.”

Trellis makes over 100 branded products, all non-petroleum based, or bioplastics as they are known in the industry. These eco-friendly products are distributed by major food service companies in the U.S. to over 1,000 customers nationally. The company was started in Oregon in 2005 while catering primarily to customers searching for "greener" alternatives to conventional plastic disposable packaging for take-out food.